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DEL.ICIO.USWestmoreland gets a second crack at whip job
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland has been appointed to the Republican whip team up in Washington. Again.
As a deputy whip, his job will be to encourage rank-and-file members to stick to leadership positions.
Westmoreland’s appointment is significant because this is the second time he’s held the job. The first time, in 2006, the Coweta County congressman was fired after only 17 hours.
Republicans were in control of the U.S. House then, and the deficit-conscious Westmoreland committed the unpardonable sin of voting against a leadership-backed emergency spending bill.
Westmoreland never even got a chance to twist an arm. He found himself trapped in a Capitol elevator during the only vote covered by his brief tenure.
That Westmoreland has been offered a second tour of duty demonstrates the change in fiscal attitude among House Republicans — and their recognition that, when you’re the minority party, the hammer of absolute discipline isn’t always the best tool on your belt.
Photo credit: W.A. Bridges Jr./AJC
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